New Enterprise Pilot Script Review

When it rains, it pours. After the first Enterprise image, comments from Rick Berman and a full Trek X synopsis, another review of the Enterprise opening episode also appeared online today.

"The Enterprise is bringing a Klingon, who by the way is a 'new' alien in this time period, was shot down over Broken Bow, Oklahoma (hence the title), back to Kronos, the Klingon home world," wrote Julius Funkenstein on Screenwriters Utopia. "While in route, new flashy aliens called the Sulibian take over the ship and take the Klingon with them. A bit of the script deals with the Enterprise and its captain, Jonathan Archer searching for the Klingon until Archer gains a lead."

The technology used by the crew will be suitably retro-styled. "We're talking controls a lot like the ones in the Original Series with huge flashing lights and such. The crew seems to be a bit apprehensive about using the transporters, because well; they are new. They have just been given the OK for life forms to be transported. Weapons - well, we get new primitive-like phasers that are even new to the Enterprise crew. Oh, and the ship is only able to travel warp 4.5."

The reviewer comments that the main characters of Captain Jonathan Archer and Sub-Commander T'Pol are too stereotypical. "The captain of the Enterprise is Jonathan Archer who again is just another version of James T. Kirk. Archer, who is played out a bit older then Kirk, seems less likable than past captains - now this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it somehow gets in the way when you need to trust him in certain sticky situations."

"Sato is the Communications officer officer. [The] only problem is that she doesn't get in enough time as some of the other characters. She is also a bit more knowledgeable then Uhura. Charlie Tucker comes in as the Chief Engineer. He is the McCoy of the script, a Southerner and the friend of the captain. Malcolm Reed is the ships Armory Officer - is this like the Chief Of Security? Mayweather is the young ship's pilot. Our doctor is one odd bird of an alien, Phlox. He is really weird, but personable."

The reviewer was also critical of too much sentimentality in the script. "We get warp drive creator, Zefram Cochrane, giving us useless sap about 'Strange new worlds' and unnecessary speeches in the heat of battle." This appearance by Zefram Cochrane ties in with reports last month that James Cromwell was to resume the role he played in 'First Contact.' (story).

The review concluded on a positive note, awarding the script a score of 7.9 out of ten. "I think that Enterprise shows promise. While the script isn't all that spectacular, it is a solid vehicle for the series."

You can read the full review, including a breakdown of likes and dislikes about the script and the reviewer's comments about earlier Trek incarnations, here at Screenwriters Utopia. Thanks go out to Dark Horizons and Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga for this news.

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